ST. GEORGE Laura Blanche Churchfield Graves passed away on December 5, 2012, after 93 years of a wonderful life.
Mom was born October 2, 1919 in Wells, Nevada to John Roy Churchfield and Laura Ruth (Duval) Churchfield, along with three brothers and three sisters.
The family moved to Buhl, Idaho, where Blanche graduated from Buhl High in 1937, then went to work at the Ramona Theater for the next five years.
Mom met the love of her life, Edwin Russell Graves, and they were married on August 16, 1941. They were blessed with 70 years of fun and joy. Mom and Dad moved to Los Angeles, CA. shortly thereafter where Blanched worked for Douglas Aircraft for nine years. During this time they discovered Lawrence Welk’s band was playing nearby and that was the start of some of their best memories, dancing many a weekend away, and continuing to love his music right to the end of both their lives. An even better event in L.A. was the birth of their one and only child, Terrance Russell Graves.
In 1956 they moved to Reno, Nevada, where Mom worked for Title Insurance and Trust Co. as Personnel Director for 19 years. After retiring in 1976, they moved back to Buhl, ID for eight years and then to St. George, UT. Not only did they love to dance but golf was a major part of their lives and she belonged to the St. George Ladies Golf Assn. Blanche (“Spec”) also assisted Ed (”Spiver”) with his duties at the St. George Elk’s Lodge 1743, where they loved to dance, party and listen to country music with their friends. While in Reno, Mom was a past President and Secretary of the Postmaster’s Auxiliary.
Blanche was a hard worker and actually enjoyed house and yard work, which showed in the way she set her priorities; a week before leaving this earth she was trying to rake leaves and iron, but she was happy having “things to do”. She and Dad shared so many great memories that she was lost when he died a year ago but having “accepted the Lord” together we are comforted knowing they are together again in Heaven. And though we still miss them greatly, we’re happy they’re reunited in such a wonderful dream.
Blanche is survived by her son, Terry and his wife Kathleen of Pocatello, ID; sister, Edna Terbush and her son, Ron; sister-in-law, Jane Churchfield of St. George; two brothers, Sim Churchfield of Boise, ID and Marvin (Julie) Churchfield of Elko, NV; two great-grandchildren, Austin Graves of Boise, ID and Shantelle Graves of Alliance, NB.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Graves; mother and father, Laura and John Churchfield; grandsons, Gary Russell Graves and Shane Graves; sisters, Elsie Hudson, Buelah “Jack” Thompson, and brother, Freeman “Huck” Churchfield.
We want to extend our deep “Thanks” to Kara, Star, Michael and others of Creekside/Encompass Hospice of Pocatello, ID; Gina, Becca, Rick and Carol of Applegate Hospice in St. George, UT and The Gables (Angie, Amy, Andrea, Brooke and others) of Pocatello for all the wonderful love and care provided to Mom. We are also grateful to Jamie (Colleen) Mayer, Florence, Peggy and Margaret of University Bible Church for ministering to Mom and Dad and providing the means by which they were “saved”. <br>
A “Celebration of Life” will be planned for the Spring and family and friends will be notified at a later date. Spilsbury Mortuary of St. George, UT (435) 673-2454 is providing the end-of-life detail, help and cremation. Family and friends are invited to leave their condolences in her guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com.